Greece

Here's the thing about Greece that surprises most people: it's not actually sunny every single day. The country gets around 1,200mm of rain annually—that's more than London—but it all gets compressed into winter. What this means for you is that April through August is basically a weather guarantee, but each month feels completely different depending on what you're after.

April is genuinely magic if you can swing it. Highs sit around 20–22°C (68–72°F), wildflowers are still throwing a party across the islands, and you'll actually see Greek people in the tavernas instead of just tourists. June is when the heat starts getting real—we're talking 28–30°C (82–86°F)—but the sea is finally warm enough to not shock your system. July and August are the heavyweight months: 32–34°C (90–93°F), packed crowds, and prices that'll make you wince. But the light is unreal, the water is glassy, and if you're diving or sailing, this is your window. The trade-off is real though—you're sharing every sunset with 500 other people.

January is the month to actively avoid. It's not dramatically cold—highs around 13°C (55°F)—but it's wet, grey, and frankly depressing if you came for the Mediterranean dream. Many smaller hotels, tavernas, and island ferries just shut down. It rains on maybe 10–12 days that month, and when it does, it's the kind of rain that makes you question why you didn't just stay home. Plus, daylight dwindles to about 9 hours, so you're losing light fast after 4pm.

Looking at the broader pattern, Greece's climate has been creeping warmer over the past decade—those record-breaking August heat waves you hear about? They're becoming more frequent. For 2026, expect the seasonal patterns to hold, but with slightly earlier heat peaks in June and potentially more intense afternoon temperatures in July-August. Spring (April-May) is your sweet spot if you want to dodge the crowds and still guarantee good weather.